
Sandbar & Grill
A quaint, waterside kitchen beneath Monterey's Municipal Wharf #2, offering fresh seafood and marina views. A true local gem.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Sandbar & Grill

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A quaint, waterside kitchen beneath Monterey's Municipal Wharf #2, offering fresh seafood and marina views. A true local gem.
"The food was freshly cooked and tasted out of this world - what an amazing find!"
Make Reservations
Book ahead, especially during peak hours, as seating is limited in this popular spot.
Don't Miss the Calamari
Highly recommended for its perfect crispiness and flavorful taste, with options like 'abalone style'.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, American
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(831) 373-2818
Address
Municipal Wharf 2, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
Website
sandbarandgrillmonterey.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Stunning Marina Views
Dine waterside with picturesque views of the marina, offering a quaint and enjoyable atmosphere for any occasion.

Fresh Seafood Delights
Savor the highest quality fresh seafood, from classic clam chowder to perfectly seasoned calamari and sand dabs.

Signature 'Sandbar Recipe' Chowder
Experience a unique twist on classic clam chowder with an optional float of sherry for a dynamic flavor.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Book ahead, especially during peak hours, as seating is limited in this popular spot.
Don't Miss the Calamari
Highly recommended for its perfect crispiness and flavorful taste, with options like 'abalone style'.
Try the Chowder with Sherry
Ask for the 'Sandbar recipe' chowder with a touch of sherry for a unique and delicious flavor.
Enjoy Happy Hour
Great deals on drinks and appetizers, Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 6:30 pm.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Book ahead, especially during peak hours, as seating is limited in this popular spot.
Don't Miss the Calamari
Highly recommended for its perfect crispiness and flavorful taste, with options like 'abalone style'.
Try the Chowder with Sherry
Ask for the 'Sandbar recipe' chowder with a touch of sherry for a unique and delicious flavor.
Enjoy Happy Hour
Great deals on drinks and appetizers, Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 6:30 pm.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Sandbar & Grill is a beloved local spot praised for its fresh seafood and friendly service, offering a charming waterfront dining experience. While many rave about the calamari, clam chowder, and generous portions, some diners have noted occasional inconsistencies with raw shellfish and blandness in certain dishes. Despite minor drawbacks, the overall consensus points to a satisfying meal with beautiful marina views.
"We were driving around during sunset hour and felt hungry. Just did a random search on Google and chose this restaurant and what an amazing find it was. Great service. Good food. The location is great right near the waterfront. Overall a great experience. The food was freshly cooked and tasted out of this world."
Devanshu Arya
"Had a wonderful dinner here yesterday. Wait staff were super friendly and fast and the views from the restaurant of the marina were beautiful. We had their staple clam chowder and calamari and both were on point. For the mains, the kids had the pasta tubes in Alfredo sauce and the fish and chips and we had the sea scallops and jumbo prawns....everything was very delicious and portions are huge. Enjoy."
Peter Chung
"Stumbled upon this restaurant where locals usually go in Monterey to eat seafood and ordered a couple of things. The calamari’s good, love the flavor and crisp. The oysters got one of us sick, the rest were okay (usual for consuming raw shellfish). The fish and vegetable and fish taco can use a little seasoning, it is bland. The shrimp taco’s tasty.
There’s a parking area not very far from it. Really nice interior, as a golfer, we were enjoying looking at all the flags hanging around the wall. We made reservation, I suggest to make reservations because it is a pretty small area and there was a bit of a wait come lunch time."
Liberty Avila
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Sandbar & Grill is renowned for its fresh, high-quality seafood, especially its calamari and clam chowder, and offers stunning marina views.
It's recommended to make reservations, especially during peak hours, as the restaurant has limited seating capacity.
The restaurant is located below wharf level with indoor seating offering marina views, not direct outdoor patio seating.
Happy hour runs Monday-Friday from 4-6:30 pm for deals. Lunch and early dinner are also popular.
While seafood is the focus, options like sandwiches and potential pasta dishes may be available, but it's best to inquire directly.
The restaurant has a casual, laid-back atmosphere, so no strict dress code is enforced.
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monterey restaurants - seafood, view
If you are open to another restaurant not far away - on the next pier over from Fisherman's Wharf (I think it is called the municipal wharf) there is a restaurant called Sand Bar and Grill - funny little place set below the level of the wharf, so you walk down some stairs to get to it. The views are great, the food is good, and the staff are very friendly.
The Top 10 Bars In Monterey, California
Nestled under one of Monterey’s Municipal Wharf’s is Sandbar and Grill. Walk into a waterside room with large windows on every wall that look out on the marina, and enjoy the drinks and fare whether it’s an intimate date or group celebration. Come here around happy hour for a drink at their full bar with one of their delectable seafood dishes.
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Just back from two days in Monterey - Some observations/hints to share
Out past the touristy Fisherman's Wharf (most whale watching trips depart here) is the original Municipal Wharf - or Fishermen's Wharf #2 - is the Sandbar and Grill (on a platform below wharfside, as it used to be a boat refueling station originally). Great views, friendly service, good selection of wines and beers, fresh seafood. And if you saw the old Clint Eastwood move "Play Misty for Me" you've seen it already.
Best Ocean View Restaurants in Monterey, CA
If ocean-view dining is what you're after, don't miss Sandbar & Grill. Located along the pier beneath Monterey's Municipal Wharf #2, this casual spot offers stunning views of the marina and prompt service. Choose from a wide selection of delicious options such as Louie salad with fresh Dungeness crab and prawns, calamari that's flavorful and tender, homemade clam chowder, whole crab, New York steaks, and much more.
Best Clam Chowder on the Monterey Peninsula
This place also appears on our list for best Monterey Peninsula lunches, and the “Sandbar recipe” chowder is a power player in the list of reasons why. Their chowder earns this spot for all the right reasons (texture, flavor, freshness) and a unique one: They’ll float a signature touch of sherry, upon request, that merges all the ingredients in a surprisingly dynamic way. sandbarandgrillmonterey.com
6 Unique Calamari Dishes That Prove Monterey Is The World’s Squid Capital – Foodbeast
The two local hotspots for calamari in Monterey are Abalonetti’s and Sandbar, and the latter of these specializes in “abalone style.” It goes back to presenting squid as that low-cost alternative to abalone, so it gets breaded and fried in the same way. Get it straight with a side of lemon, or coated in generous spoonfuls of picatta sauce for a vibrant and refreshing seafood meal.
Where To Wine & Dine Near Monterey
Sandbar & Grill puts you in the mood for seafood, as it’s located underneath Monterey’s Municipal Wharf right next to a yacht-filled marina. Those who grew up in beach towns will love the classic offerings like fresh sand dabs and clam chowder. There are also great surf and turf options, as well as a stellar bacon-and-crab sandwich.Sandbar & Grill.
Best Cheap Drinks and Inexpensive Bites
Heading out to the Sandbar and Grill will not only give you a great happy hour but also spectacular views to go with it. Their happy hour goes Monday through Friday, from 4 pm to 6:30 pm, and seafood lovers will love their fresh catch of the day while they’re visiting. You can get draft beers for $4, wine by the glass for $7, and drinks for $5.
Best 20 Happy Hours in Monterey County, plus 13 honorable mentions. | Eat + Drink
Under Municipal Wharf II, in Monterey, locals haunt Sand Bar & Grill (4-6:30pm Mon-Fri, 373-2818) does draft beer pints for $3.75, well drinks for $5, and house wines for $6.50, in addition to a special appetizer menu of deals like $4.50 clam chowder bowl, $5 artichoke, $4 onion rings or $7 sand dabs.
Top 10 Must-Try Restaurants in Monterey, CA
An oceanfront dining destination in Monterey Harbor that serves fresh seafood and provides impeccable service. Whether you’d like to explore local flavors or have a taste of a classic seafood dish, Sandbar & Grill offers an unforgettable culinary adventure in a magnificent waterfront setting.
6 Dynamite Happy Hours That Showcase Monterey Bay's Hospitality Industry
If you’re a sucker for a good ocean view, the Sandbar & Grill definitely has the best one on this list. Seafood fans will love their fresh catch fish of the day and calamari, and happy hour fans will love the community feeling!. The happy hour here runs Monday-Friday from 4-6:30 p.m.
The 10 Best Seafood Restaurants in Monterey 2024
Tucked away on Wharf No. 2, Sandbar & Grill is a hidden gem that offers waterfront dining and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. The restaurant is known for its fresh seafood and generous portions. Specialties and Unique Features:
Best Restaurants in Monterey CA for Seafood and Local Flavor
Sandbar & Grill: Located on Wharf #2, this waterfront restaurant is known for its cioppino, a hearty tomato-based seafood stew with roots in Italian fishing traditions. The views and well-balanced flavors make it a standout.
Films and TV Shows to Watch Featuring Monterey County
Local sites featured in the film include: the Sardine Factory on Cannery Row, Big Sur, Highway 1, and the Monterey Municipal Wharf in a restaurant now called the Sandbar & Grill.
Films and TV Shows to Watch Featuring Monterey County
Local sites featured in the film include: the Sardine Factory on Cannery Row, Big Sur, Highway 1 and the Monterey Municipal Wharf in a restaurant now called the Sandbar & Grill.
30 Best Restaurants in Monterey, CA (and Near) for 2025 (Top Eats!)
Wharf # 2Monterey, CA 93940(831) 373-2818 Open in Google Maps. Sandbar & Grill is a waterside eatery and bar known for its seafood choices and marina views.
16 Best Restaurants in Monterey, CA 2024 Updated
Perched right on the wharf, Sandbar & Grill offers lunch and dinner service with an all-around view of the marina, courtesy of their wall-to-wall windows.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit